Becks is top ethnic icon

David Beckham has received an award from the public for being an ethnic minority icon.

The footballer was named Sporting Personality for the Year with Arsenal's Thierry Henry at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards (Emmas).

The gong was given a year after a documentary described the England captain, whose image has not been dented by allegations of affairs, as Britain's most famous black man.

Mel Gibson's controversial movie about Jesus, The Passion of the Christ, also picked up two awards at the ceremony in London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

The film, which sparked anger from Jewish groups who accused Gibson of blaming Jews for Jesus' death, won Best Film Production while its Romanian star Maia Morgenstern took Best Film Actress for her portrayal of Mary.

The previously little-known star beat Hollywood names like Lucy Liu and Queen Latifah to the award.

A spokesman for the NatWest Emmas tonight defended the choice of winners, selected from a shortlist through a public vote.

"He's a sportsman who crosses all multi-cultural boundaries and represents a positive message, that all cultures on this island influence our daily lives."

They added: "The Passion of the Christ features Judaism and Christian values.

"The Emmas believe that the film has created debate and greater understanding of each other's cultures and religions, which in turn will develop a greater understanding of modern day British culture."

Former BBC director general Greg Dyke, who resigned in the aftermath of the Hutton inquiry and once described the BBC as being "too white and middle class", also received an award for Media Personality of the Year tonight.

Other award winners include BBC Fame Academy's Lemar for Best British Music Act, and The Black Eyed Peas for International Music Act.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise was awarded Best Film Actor for The Last Samurai.

The sister and mother of a British peace activist who was shot dead during an army operation in the Gaza Strip last year won Public Figure for the Year, over Sir Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

Sir Trevor sparked controversy by calling for an end to "outdated" multicultural policies after being nominated for the award.

Best Book went to The Bookseller of Kabul by Norwegian war correspondent Asne Seierstad who lodged with the family of an Afghan bookseller and was concerned with the place of women in Afghan life.

Best TV Actor went to Art Malik for Holby City, TV Actress to Bend it Like Beckham star Parminder Nagra for Channel 4 drama Second Generation, and TV Entertainment Production to Teachers.

The late martial arts master Bruce Lee was named the recipient of the Legend Award while Sir Bill Morris, former general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, won the Lifetime Achievement Award.